Page 7 - laten-08-06-2020

PREFACE

'Passion of The Christ’ as a movie by Mel Gibson has
gained popularity all over the world for masterfully etching
into our memories passion scenes from Christ's life, both of
literal and imagined. Juxtaposing real-time events with some
of the significant flashback scenes, Gibson tied together several
different passages of Scripture, portraying the humanity and
divinity of Christ. From beginning to end, the ‘Passion of The
Christ’ carries an intensity of purpose and emotion that is
beyond description. In this book, the meditations on the Passion
Narratives based on the gospel accounts is an attempt to connect
the text and our context. Forty meditations are based on forty
events, from ‘Anointing in Bethany’ to ‘the Death of Jesus’. For
each text, the writers have identified an issue from our context
and thus weaved the narrative around our own context. Through
these forty meditations, forty pertinent contemporary issues
are addressed. These meditations would enable the readers to
pause, reflect and act. Prayer and a portion of hymn at the end
of each meditation reflect the liturgical tradition of the church
that enriches our faith and praxis. In addition, the meditations
have been illustrated by artists namely: Mr. J. Edwin and Mr.
Vijay from Visakhapattanam, Mr. M.J. Mathew and Mr. Akhil
Kolladu from Madhya Kerala Dicoes. The illustrations help us
to visualise the content at one go, making it youth and children
friendly!

During lent, as we gaze at the cross intently our lives
are seasoned and fashioned in manifold ways which edify and
transform us. Reading through the passion narratives in the
gospels helps us to embark upon a faith expedition. The narratives
take us through varied events in Jesus’ life which demonstrate
a divine consciousness for the other and establishing justice
for the wholeness of God’s creation. At the culmination of
the passion episode Jesus looks at the other and not himself

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Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People